EIF backs SPOROS to build Greece's circular economy ecosystem

The European Investment Fund (EIF) has announced an investment in SPOROS Platform, a Greek impact investing vehicle focused on companies driving the transition to a circular economy, as detailed in an EIF press release. SPOROS has reached a final close of €58 million under the Equifund II initiative, co-financed by the EU through the NSRF 2021–2027 and the Competitiveness Programme. The announcement was timed to coincide with the UN’s International Day of Zero Waste action week.

EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris said the circular economy transition is a major opportunity for Europe’s economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability, and that backing SPOROS helps Greece develop innovative companies that combine both. EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt added that supporting practical, scalable solutions helps turn environmental challenges into real market opportunities. SPOROS CEO Dimitris Simos described the circular transition as “both a necessity and a historic market opportunity,” welcoming the EIF as a key institutional partner.

SPOROS invests in two tracks: early-stage startups integrating resource-efficiency models, and established SMEs shifting toward circular production and operations. Focus areas span clean energy, manufacturing, agri-food, bioeconomy, and sustainable tourism. The platform has already deployed capital across 14 investments in five European countries and six Greek regions, targeting a critical funding gap in the €1–6 million range and supporting companies that generate high-quality local jobs. A dual geographic strategy combines regional smart specialisation with attracting circular scale-ups from more mature markets to set up hubs in Greece, serving Southeast Europe and the Middle East.